Cause or Clue?
What term describes the medical reason someone died
Cause of death
What does PMI stand for?
Postmortem Interval
Hair, fibers, and glass are examples of what type of evidence?
Trace evidence
What term describes repeated behaviors in crimes?
Criminal patterns
What tool is used to measure body temperature at a death scene?
Thermometer
Natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, and undetermined describe the ___ of death.
Manner of death
Cooling of the body after death is called ___ mortis.
Algor mortis
What principle states that “every contact leaves a trace”?
Locard’s Exchange Principle
What is the difference between MO and signature?
MO can change; signature is psychological and consistent
True or False: Fingerprints are the same for every person.
False
What term explains how the cause of death occurred
Mechanism of death
What type of mortis causes muscle stiffening after death?
Rigor mortis
What lab technique separates mixtures like ink or drugs?
Chromatography
Which type of offender plans crimes carefully?
Organized offender
What type of evidence is a surveillance video?
Digital evidence
A person dies from smoke inhalation in a house fire. What is the manner of death most likely?
Accidental
What mortis causes blood to settle in the lowest parts of the body?
Livor mortis
Why is trace evidence often overlooked at crime scenes?
It is small and easily transferred or lost
Why do investigators study victimology?
To understand why a specific person was targeted
Why are crime scene photos taken before evidence is collected?
To document the original scene
Why is determining manner of death important in forensic investigations?
It helps determine if a crime occurred and guides legal action
Why are insect life stages useful in estimating time of death?
Insects develop at known rates after death
How can fibers link a suspect to a crime scene?
By matching fibers from clothing to those found at the scene
Why is profiling considered an investigative tool, not proof?
It suggests possibilities but does not identify suspects
What mistake can permanently damage a forensic investigation?
Contaminating evidence